Fallacies from the News?

-

 

Misinformation and logical fallacies are common in online media, influencing public opinion and policy decisions. Fallacies undermine logical reasoning and mislead audiences by presenting arguments that lack sound evidence. We can identify three communication fallacies from recent online articles: hasty generalization, false cause, and ad hominem attacks. These examples highlight how fallacies function and why they are problematic.

Cannabis Edibles Incident (CBS Chicago)

An article by CBS Chicago reports on a 13-year-old girl who was hospitalized after consuming a cannabis edible (Sulek, 2025). The article implies that cannabis edibles pose a significant danger to children, citing multiple incidents at a single school. However, it does not provide broader statistical evidence about the prevalence of such cases or compare them to other risks children face. This is an example of a hasty generalization, a fallacy that occurs when a conclusion is drawn based on insufficient evidence (Week 7 Lecture, 2025). While the case is concerning, the article presents it as indicative of a widespread issue without sufficient data, leading readers to believe that cannabis edibles are inherently hazardous without considering responsible use and regulatory measures.

 


RFK Jr. and the Measles Outbreak (BBC News)

​            In a BBC News article, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. downplays the severity of a measles outbreak in Texas, calling it “not unusual” and promoting “informed consent” regarding vaccinations (Halpert, 2025). His statements imply that declining vaccination rates are not directly responsible for the outbreak despite overwhelming scientific evidence showing that lower vaccine coverage leads to increased measles cases. This is an example of the false cause fallacy, also known as post hoc reasoning, which assumes that because two events occur together, one does not necessarily cause the other (Week 7 Lecture, 2025). Kennedy’s rhetoric suggests that vaccine skepticism is merely a personal choice rather than a public health risk, contradicting medical research on herd immunity.

 

 

Zelenskyy and U.S. Senators Meeting (ABC News)​

An article from ABC News covers a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. senators, highlighting Senator Lindsey Graham’s remarks following a heated exchange. Initially supportive, Graham criticized Zelenskyy, stating, “He made it hard for the American people to believe he is a good investment. He either needs to resign or send somebody else over” (Murray & Scott, 2025). Instead of focusing on Ukraine’s policy requests or addressing specific concerns, Graham shifts the discussion to Zelenskyy’s personal credibility. This ad hominem fallacy occurs when someone attacks an individual’s character instead of addressing their argument (Week 7 Lecture, 2025). Such rhetoric diverts attention from Ukraine’s economic and security needs, reducing the debate to personal criticisms rather than substantive policy discussions.


 

References

Halpert, M. (2025, March 1). RFK measles response under scrutiny as deadly outbreak frightens Texas parents. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgeq3y1825o

Murray, I., & Scott, R. (2025, March). Zelenskyy meets with bipartisan group of senators ahead of tense White House exchange. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/zelenskyy-meets-bipartisan-group-senators-ahead-tense-white/story?id=119305439

Sulek, M. (2025, February 28). Girl, 13, had to go to hospital after taking cannabis edible at Southwest Side Chicago school. CBS Chicago. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/girl-hospital-cannabis-edible-southwest-side-chicago-school/

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

About Me

-
Image
Hey Y’all, I am Chris, a non-traditional botany major transferring from Post University. I was born and raised in Connecticut. Shortly after high school, I moved to Florida to begin a Journey in Substance Abuse recovery. After 13 years there, I moved back to Connecticut to be close to my remaining family, enroll in college, and work as a Cannabis Cultivator. Cannabis Flower Room   In my limited free time, I like to play video games like Fortnite, Madden, or RPGs, and I am a massive fan of Comedy and Comedy Podcasts. I am also enthusiastic about helping my local community, volunteering as often as possible. I participate in local clean-up projects at local parks, beaches, and roadways, as well as maintaining trails at local parks. With one of my favorite spots pictured below.   Branford Trolley Trail and Footbridge While attending Post University, I took an Intro to Communications Course which focused on professional, academic, and personal communication fundamentals. The...
Read more

Oversharing Online

-
Image
  Hey Y’all, While I try to avoid Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites, they have become integral in our lives. It seems impossible to navigate the day without a prompt to follow a brand, company, or someone’s profile. Social media can be used to share snippets of our lives, helping us connect with others. Instagram is perfect for sharing your pictures with friends and family. However, people carefully curate their “perfect life’ through the images on Instagram. Studies have shown that viewing others’ perfect lives can be detrimental to self-image, which is shaped by evaluating our lives against others’ (Adler et al., 2023). As someone who struggles with mental health and self-image, I avoid Instagram for just this reason. I do not need to add anything to my life that could further inhibit my mental health. Conversely, Facebook is beneficial for maintaining long-distance and weak-tie relationships. For example, during the pandemic lockdowns, it helped preserve rela...
Read more